The Lancaster Barnstormers have signed right-hander Cesar Carrillo, a former San Diego Padre and, at the same time, have had the contract of lefty reliever Les Walrond purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Carrillo, 27, was San Diego’s first round selection in the 2005 draft after a stellar career at the University of Miami. He reached Class AA Mobile by the end of his first professional season and was in Class AAA (Portland, OR) by the end of 2006. His Major League debut waited until 2009, when the right-hander from Chicago pitched against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 13. Carrillo’s lone big league win, a 6-3 victory over the Cubs in San Diego, came five days after that. He made a third start against St. Louis, August 23 and has not returned to the Major Leagues since. 

He spent all of last year with Portland, going 5-14 with a 5.60 ERA. The Houston Astros signed him during the winter, and Carrillo opened this season with the Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks where he appeared in five games, all in relief. At Miami, he was 25-3 between the 2004 and 2005 seasons and pitched in the 2004 College World Series. 

“Cesar is a quality starter with four good pitches,” said manager Butch Hobson. “Some of our guys that have seen him in the past say that he is not a fun at-bat.” 

Walrond, 34, will be assigned to Class AA Reading. The left-hander has spent time in the Majors with three different clubs, most recently the Phillies in 2008. With the Barnstormers, he was 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in nine appearances out of the bullpen. He had allowed just 10 hits while walking only two and striking out 15. 

“We’re really happy for Les,” said Hobson. “He’s been a quality left-hander out of the bullpen for us plus a great clubhouse guy. He’s really going to be able to help out some of the younger pitchers in the Phillies system.” 

The Barnstormers open a three-game weekend series at Bethpage Ballpark, home of the Long Island Ducks, Friday evening at 7:05. They will return home on Friday, June 3 to host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 717-509-3633 or by going online to www.lancasterbarnstormers.com.